Fireboy DML explained

Fireboy DML
Birth Name:Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan[1]
Birth Date:5 February 1996
Birth Place:Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Genre:Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop
Label:YBNL Nation, Empire Distribution
Years Active:2014–present
Associated Acts:

Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (born 5 February 1996),[2] [3] who is known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by rapper Olamide.[4] His debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, was released in 2019. He won Listener's Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for "Jealous" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.

Early life

Fireboy DML was born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun state, and was a member of his church choir.[5] He developed interest in music while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University.

Career

2018-2020: Debut and Apollo

His breakthrough single "Jealous" first appeared on YBNL Nation's collaborative album YBNL Mafia Family (2018), before being re-released on 25 March 2019.[6] [7] The song is composed of guitar riffs, traditional drums and percussion; it combines African harmonies with elements of country and soul music.[6] [5] "Jealous" was produced by Cracker Mallo and is centered around love and the complicated feelings that go along with it. The visuals for "Jealous" were directed by Director K.

In June 2019, Fireboy DML released the romantic single "What If I Say".[8] It was produced by Pheelz, who incorporated a mix of percussion, ambient synth harmonies, and a drum riff into the production[9] and plugged by Olaitan[10] The visuals for "What If I Say" was directed by TG Omori. On 1 August 2019, Fireboy DML released another single titled "King", in the song, he declares his worth to his love interest.[11] [12] The accompanying music video for "King" was directed by TG Omori; it contains images of Fireboy and his love interest in a rose petal embellished Rolls-Royce, as well as images of him singing at a fashion show where models walk on a runway.

Fireboy DML released his debut studio album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps on 29 November 2019. It was initially scheduled for release on 25 November.[13] The album's music is a brand of R&B that combines love and social issues with empirical songwriting. LTG comprises 13 tracks and doesn't feature any guest artist; it amassed over 6 million streams on Spotify three days after its release.[14] [15] It received generally positive reviews from music critics, but was criticized for being labeled an "Afro-Life" record instead of an R&B album. LTG was supported by the previously released singles "Jealous", "What If I Say" and "King".[16] The single "Vibration" was a fan favourite.

On 17 August 2020, Fireboy released the tracklist to his sophomore album, Apollo.[17] Ivie Ani of Pitchfork gave the album an 8.3 rating out of 10, calling it "the peak of his vision so far, a melodious, detailed, and effortless album of feel-good pop and R&B."[18] NotJustOk wrote: "At the base of his writing is a deep-seated knack for introspection, the desire to be himself and a whole others like himself, spinning personal and borrowed accounts of existential crisis, ambition, love, lust and depression."

In 2021, Fireboy released the single "Peru," which Music in Africa wrote "affirms [his] Afrobeats intelligence."[19] He was featured on Ladipoe's hit "Running"[20] and WSTRN's single "Be My Guest",[21] and Cheque's single "History." He made a musical appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and performed a medley of the songs "Vibration," from Tears, Laughter and Goosebumps, and "Champion," from Apollo.[22]

On 24 December 2021, he released a version of Peru with Ed Sheeran which debuted on the United States' Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 2 on the United Kingdom's Official Singles Chart in 2022.[23] [24] [25]

2022-present: Collaborations and Playboy

On 3 March 2022, Fireboy was featured on the Sickick remix to Madonna's 1998 single "Frozen".[26] The official music video was filmed on the same day. On 6 July 2022, Fireboy announced via his official Twitter account that his third studio album titled "PLAYBOY"[27] would be out by 5 August 2022. In 2024, Fireboy was featured on the Justin Timberlake song "Liar".[28] [29]

Artistry

Fireboy describes his sound as "Afro-Life" and said he writes songs that audiences can relate to. Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork characterized his sound as "slow-groove pop" and said it "tells stories about love with the formulaic structure of a Hallmark Christmas romance".[30]

He has cited Jon Bellion, Passenger and Wande Coal as his key contemporary influences.

In popular culture

In 2020, Fireboy DML gained media coverage in Nigeria when his hit single "Champion" was used by FC Bayern Munich for their UEFA Super Cup celebrations.[31]

His song "Scatter" from his debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was included in the FIFA 21 game soundtrack.[32]

In November 2022, his song, "Coming Back For You," was included on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.[33]

Discography

Studio albums and EP

Title! rowspan="2"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
[34]
Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps[35]
  • Released: 29 November 2019
  • Label: YBNL Nation
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
Apollo[36]
  • Released: 20 August 2020
  • Label: YBNL Nation
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
Playboy
  • Released: 5 August 2022
  • Label: YBNL Nation
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
123

Singles

As lead artist

Title! rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
CAN
[39]
FRA
[40]
IRE
[41]
SWE
[42]
SWI
[43]
UK
[44]
UK
Indie

[45]
US
[46]
US
World

[47]
WW
[48]
"Jealous"2018Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps
"What If I Say"2019
"King"
"New York City Girl"2020Apollo
"Eli"
"Tattoo"
"Champion"
"Peru"
202137 40
[49]
7 35 31 2 13 53 2 34 Playboy
"Running"
[52]
Providence
"Beauty & the Madness"
[53]
2022
"Playboy"[54] Playboy
"Someone"[55] rows pan="3" 2023Someone
Everyday[56] 2024TBA
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title! rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Dance

[57]
"Frozen (Fireboy DML remix)"
202212
"Me and My Guitar"
2023
"Drink Water"
[58]

Album appearances

Title! rowspan="1"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
"Liar"
2024Everything I Thought It Was

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyPrizeRecipientResultRef
2019The HeadiesNext RatedHimself[59]
Viewer's Choice
Song of the Year"Jealous"
City People Music AwardsMost Promising Act of the YearHimself[60]
Best New Act of the Year
Revelation of the Year
2020Soundcity MVP Awards FestivalSong of the Year"Jealous"[61]
Listeners' ChoiceFireboy DML for "Jealous"
Best New MVPHimself
The HeadiesAlbum of the YearApollo[62] [63]
Best Pop Album
Best R&B Album"Tears, Laughter and Goosebumps"
Best R&B Single"Tattoo"
Headies RevelationFireboy DML
2021African Entertainment Awards USASong of the Year"Peru"
All Africa Music AwardsAfrican Fan's FavouriteHimself
NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding International Song"Peru"[64] [65]
The Future Awards AfricaPrize for Music (Endowed by Infinix)Himself[66]
2022The HeadiesBest Songwriter of the Year"Peru"[67]
Best Afrobeat Single (Nigeria)
Song of the Year
Viewer's ChoiceHimself for "Peru"
BET AwardsBest International ActHimself[68]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AFAR . ASCAP . American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers . July 10, 2023.
  2. Web site: Bamise Oyetayo . It’s Fireboy DML’s Birthday! Here Are Some Facts About the Elusive Singer . NotJustOk . 6 April 2024 . February 5, 2021.
  3. Web site: Watch Fireboy DML's New Music Video for 'Need You'. 14 January 2020. OkayAfrica. en. 17 January 2020. The 23-year-old artist....
  4. News: 29 November 2019. Fireboy DML album make pipo do wow!. BBC News Pidgin. 17 January 2020.
  5. Web site: Joey . Akan . The New Guard of Nigerian Musicians . The New York Times . 1 February 2020. 29 August 2019.
  6. Web site: Debola . Abimbolu . Watch the Cinematic Music Video for Fireboy DML's "Jealous". Native . 1 February 2020 . 26 March 2019.
  7. Web site: Jealous - Single by Fireboy DML . Apple Music . 9 February 2020 . 25 March 2019.
  8. News: What If I Say - Single by Fireboy DML . Apple Music . 1 February 2020 . 14 June 2019.
  9. Web site: Debola . Abimbolu . Fireboy DML shares music video for romantic new single, "What If I Say" . Native . 1 February 2020 . 14 June 2019.
  10. Web site: Telegraph . New . 2021-04-23 . Music Plugger, Sheriff Salaudeen, celebrates decade of impactful entertainment - New Telegraph . 2024-07-13 . newtelegraphng.com . en-US.
  11. Web site: King - Single by Fireboy DML . Apple Music . 1 February 2020 . 1 August 2019.
  12. Web site: Debola . Abimbolu . Fireboy DML brings Lover Boy feels to new video, "King". Native . 1 February 2020 . 17 September 2019.
  13. Web site: Motolani . Alake . 'Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps' is a commendable debut by Fireboy . Pulse Nigeria . 9 February 2020 . 1 December 2019.
  14. Web site: Tami . Makinde . Fireboy DML Announces his debut album 'Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps'. Native . 9 February 2020 . 6 November 2019.
  15. Web site: Nonni . Wyldwolf . News:- Fireboy DML's Album "Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps" Hits 6Million Spotify Streams In 3days . Nigerian Sounds . 9 February 2020 . 2 December 2019.
  16. Web site: François . Renoncourt . Fireboy DML, an urban romance . Pan African Music . 9 February 2020 . 21 November 2019.
  17. Web site: 17 August 2020. Fireboy releases tracklist for 17-track new album, 'Apollo'. 20 August 2020. Pulse Nigeria. en-US.
  18. Web site: Ani . Ivie . APOLLO . Pitchfork . 21 November 2021.
  19. Web site: Hansen . Gabrielle Myers . Peru affirms Fireboy DML's Afrobeats intelligence . Music in Africa . 4 November 2021 . 21 November 2021.
  20. Web site: Bartee . Richardine . Hear Nigerian artist Ladipoe's dark new track featuring Afrobeats star Fireboy DML . GrungeCake.com . 21 November 2021.
  21. Web site: New Video: WSTRN feat. Fireboy DML – Be My Guest . Bella Naija . 18 November 2021 . 21 November 2021.
  22. Web site: Bloom . Madison . Watch Fireboy DML Perform "Champion/Vibration" Medley on Fallon . Pitchfork . 13 February 2021 . 21 November 2021.
  23. Web site: Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran - Peru. 12 February 2022. OkayWap. en. 20 February 2022.
  24. Web site: Fireboy DML Sets New Milestone On Billboard Charts With 'Peru' . NotJustOk . 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022.
  25. Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 100 . Official Charts Company . 16 January 2022. 17 November 2022.
  26. Web site: Madonna sizzles next to Afrobeats star Fireboy DML in collaboration teaser . March 2022.
  27. Web site: my third studio album, "playboy" - out on the 5th of August. available for pre-save now. . 2022-07-07 . Twitter . en.
  28. Web site: Justin Timberlake Reveals Tracklist for ‘Everything I Thought It Was’ Album, Confirming New NSYNC Single. Variety. Garcia. Thania. March 4, 2024. March 16, 2024.
  29. Web site: Justin Timberlake Releases His Sixth Studio Album 'Everything I Thought It Was'. Complex. Espinoza. Joshua. March 15, 2024. March 16, 2024.
  30. Web site: The Ones: Fireboy DML's "Like I Do". Pierre. Alphonse. 4 December 2019. Pitchfork. en. 21 May 2020.
  31. Web site: Alake . Motolani . European champions, Bayern Munich uses Fireboy's 'Champion' to celebrate European Super Cup win . Pulse Nigeria . 28 September 2020 . 21 November 2021.
  32. Web site: Alake . Motolani . Fireboy, Burna Boy and Rema feature on FIFA 21 soundtrack . Pulse Nigeria . 28 September 2020 . 29 September 2020.
  33. Web site: 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Music From and Inspired By Soundtrack Launches Globally on November 4 . 2022-11-17 . Marvel Entertainment . en.
  34. billboardcharts. 1559266282968698883. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/2).... 15 August 2022. 16 August 2022.
  35. Web site: FireBoy DML Studio Albums . 8o8wave.com . 29 November 2019 . 30 March 2020 . 20 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200920212857/https://www.8o8wave.com/stream-fireboy-dml-laughter-tears-goosebumps-album/#FireBoy_DML_Studio_Albums . dead .
  36. Web site: FireBoy DML Studio Albums . music.youtube.com . 20 August 2020.
  37. Web site: 2023-12-08 . Stream Fireboy DML’s new two-track EP ‘Outside/Obaa Sima’ . 2024-06-17 . GRUNGECAKE™ . en-GB.
  38. Web site: 2023-12-08 . Fireboy DML drops 'Obaa Sima' and 'Outside' feat. Blaqbonez . 2024-06-17 . NotjustOk . en-US.
  39. Fireboy DML Chart History: Canadian Hot 100. Billboard. 21 March 2022.
  40. Web site: Top Singles (Week 14, 2022). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. French. 11 April 2022.
  41. Web site: Discography Fireboy DML. irish-charts.com. 5 January 2022.
  42. Web site: Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – Peru. Singles Top 100. 21 March 2022.
  43. Web site: Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – Peru. Swiss Hitparade. 21 March 2022.
  44. Web site: Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran. Official Charts Company. 28 January 2022.
  45. Web site: Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50. Official Charts Company. 21 March 2022.
  46. Fireboy DML Chart History: Hot 100. Billboard. 29 March 2022.
  47. Fireboy DML Chart History: World Digital Song Sales. Billboard. 21 March 2022.
  48. Fireboy DML Chart History: Global 200. Billboard. 15 March 2022.
  49. Web site: Top Singles (Week 17, 2022). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. French. 2 May 2022.
  50. United Kingdom. 24 December 2022 . Fireboy DML.
  51. United States. Fireboy DML. 19 April 2022.
  52. Web site: Running by LADIPOE, Fireboy DML. Spotify. 21 October 2021. 27 January 2022.
  53. Web site: Beauty & the Madness - Single by Rexx Life Raj, Fireboy DML & Wale . . March 11, 2022 . April 21, 2022.
  54. Web site: Playboy - Single by Fireboy DML . . April 1, 2022 . April 21, 2022.
  55. Web site: Someone - Single by Fireboy DML . . May 3, 2023 . May 3, 2023.
  56. Web site: Fireboy DML Casts Bloody Civilian as Vixen in Warm Visuals for ‘Everyday’ - Okayplayer . 2024-06-17 . www.okayafrica.com . en.
  57. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (March 19, 2022). Billboard. 21 March 2022.
  58. Web site: Jon Batiste Wants You to ‘Drink Water’ on New Single With Jon Bellion, Fireboy DML. Rolling Stone. July 14, 2023. July 15, 2023.
  59. Web site: Gbenga . Bada . Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award . Pulse Nigeria . 20 October 2019 . 20 October 2019.
  60. Web site: Reporter. 25 October 2019.
    1. CityPeopleMusicAwards: Nominees List Out
    . 21 January 2020. City People Magazine. en-US.
  61. Web site: Damola . Durosomo . Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards . OkayAfrica . 19 January 2020 . 13 January 2020.
  62. Web site: 22 February 2021. Fireboy leads pack of winners at 14th Headies. 26 February 2021. Vanguard News. en-US.
  63. Web site: 22 February 2021. 14th Headies: Fire Boy tops winners list with five awards (FULL LIST). 26 February 2021. en-GB.
  64. Web site: Lewis . Hilary . NAACP Image Awards: 'Harder They Fall,' 'Insecure' Lead Nominations . The Hollywood Reporter . 22 March 2022 . 18 January 2022.
  65. Web site: Zhan . Jennifer . NAACP Image Awards Winners Include Jazmine Sullivan, Will Smith, Red Table Talk . Vulture . 22 March 2022 . en-us . 26 February 2022.
  66. Web site: Mix . Pulse . Infinix is sponsoring the music category of the Future Awards Africa 2022 . Pulse Nigeria . 2 June 2022 . en . 19 February 2022.
  67. Web site: Full list: Wizkid, Davido get 2022 Headies nominations . Punch Newspapers . 2 June 2022 . 24 May 2022.
  68. Web site: BET Awards 2022 Nominees Announced . BET . 2 June 2022 . en.